Dispersed camping near Indian River, Michigan offers natural escapes within the Pigeon River Country State Forest and surrounding public lands. The region sits at the headwaters of five major rivers with numerous small lakes scattered across mixed hardwood forests. Most primitive campsites in this area maintain a rustic character with limited or no amenities and can be accessed via forest service roads that range from well-maintained to rough seasonal tracks.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: De Cheau Lake Camping provides access to a serene fishing lake surrounded by dense forest. "Feels more remote than it really is. Lots of room for multiple vehicles/sites," notes one camper, who also mentioned being "blessed by the Elk bugles nearby" during their stay.
Wildlife viewing: The dispersed camping areas around Pigeon River State Forest contain Michigan's largest free-roaming elk herd. Campers frequently spot these majestic animals during early morning or evening hours. The forest offers multiple tent-only primitive sites accessible via hiking trails or forest roads.
Horseback riding: Goose Creek Trail Camp features river access and horse-friendly trails. "I camp here with my horse - there are plenty of trails and there is river access with big stairs leading down to the nice footed river - it was my young horses first time being in the water and the stairs made it easier for him," reports a satisfied equestrian camper.
Water activities: Many primitive sites offer direct lake or river access. The Carp River Boat Launch area allows watercraft access to Lake Huron. "Beautiful view of Lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Easy in and easy out on a good gravel road. Access to Lake Huron," writes one visitor.
What campers like
Seasonal solitude: Fall and spring visitors to the region often find completely empty campsites. At Search Bay Dispersed, one camper noted, "Nice camp sites, pretty beach. I was there in October, so I don't know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday."
Nature immersion: The primitive camping areas provide direct access to undeveloped natural areas. A visitor to Mackinac Trail Spur Site described it as a "Perfect Oasis amongst the Butterflies. It is a beautiful area that has flowers blooming. The monarch butterflies are dancing on them."
Free camping: Many dispersed sites in the region have no fees. Search Bay Dispersed allows free camping with established fire rings. One camper reported, "Great sites here (so many to choose from all across the water). Each have their own fire pits. We are here in late April so with the chilly weather there isn't a soul in site."
Convenient locations: Some primitive sites provide surprisingly convenient access to major attractions. Mackinac Trail Spur Site is "next to a campground and 15 minutes from the lighthouse and ferry to Macimac Island," according to one camper's experience.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. At Carp River Boat Launch, "We drove a 24 ft RV at night to the site and the road is decent but has MANY deep potholes. So you need to watch for that!"
Seasonal bugs: Summer brings significant mosquito populations to most sites. At Castle Rock Ponds, "The mosquitos were pretty bad but what do you expect in the UP in July," warned one camper. Other visitors to Search Bay noted, "if you go there it's mostly cedar and the swarms of skeeters are pretty bad."
Limited facilities: Most sites have no amenities. Goose Creek Trail Camp offers slightly more facilities than other dispersed options. "Rustic state forest campground located near trails. Each site has its own fire pit and picnic table," confirms a visitor.
Recreation passport: Some dispersed camping areas require a Michigan Recreation Passport. A De Cheau Lake camper noted: "Posted on Southern entrance: Michigan Rec Passport Required."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible pond camping: Castle Rock Ponds provides relatively easy access for families. "Good bare bones dispersed camping spot. Decent gravel road leading to it, and easy to navigate to the different spots along the pond," reports a visitor who also noted, "Good fishing in pond, caught a trout."
Shoulder season visits: For families concerned about bugs, consider visiting during cooler months. One Search Bay camper found, "I don't know if it's just that I came at the right time but didn't see a single mosquito in three days, nor was I bothered by any other bug."
Site selection: Arrive early to secure the best spots, especially during summer. "Beautiful large dispersed camping area on the shores of lake Huron. Note camping on the beach is not permitted, but there are plenty of beautiful campsites overlooking the lake," advises a Search Bay visitor.
Noise considerations: Be aware of potential noise sources. At Castle Rock Ponds, "Both days/nights there were people doing target shooting in the area so there was some pretty loud gunshots, if that's a deal breaker for you, I wouldn't recommend this spot."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate small to medium RVs only. At Castle Rock Ponds, "A couple people were here with moderate sized RVs" but larger rigs may struggle on access roads.
Level parking: Look for established pull-offs with adequate room. "Just minutes off of 75 down a well maintained gravel road are the Castle Rock ponds. Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs," notes one RVer.
Road navigation: Exercise caution on lesser-maintained roads. Search Bay receives mixed reviews regarding accessibility: "There's a good road that leads to the shore road that isn't terrible. My 2wd Tacoma had no issue."
Limited hookups: No primitive sites in the region offer water, electric, or sewer connections. "Free place to park, no trash, no water, no gray dump," summarized an RVer at Carp River Boat Launch, adding "but overall it's pretty nice."
